Masto has denied any such check-off. In a statement to the Review-Journal, Masto said she met Benzer before she ever took office, at a meet and greet , and that no such business plan was discussed.

Benzer’s statement was made to a detective and an FBI agent. He claimed he was introduced to Cortez-Masto by his attorney, who later committed suicide.

The statement was filed by Chris Rasmussen, the attorney for Benzer’s half sister Elizabeth Gillespie, who is also accused in the HOA case, but is seeking to be tried separate from other defendants. In an interview with KXNT, Rasmussen says Gillespie was never a part of the scheme to take over homeowners associations. Prosecutors say Benzer master-minded the takeover of a number of HOA boards, then looted them for an estimated 8 million dollars.

Twenty eight defendants have pleaded guilty in the case over the years. Benzer was indicted earlier this year on a single count of conspiracy.